the national security agency checked far more user data than the companies realize. i am joined by a national technology reporter for the washington post. are the tech companies here motivated by principle or profit? >> i am guessing both. nobody likes having their stuff stolen, and that is what has happened here. it is bad business for users to think their information is going to be stolen if they give it to google or yahoo. they knew they were giving information to the u.s. government under court order. but the extent has taken this them by shock. data was selected from fiber on particular cables over southeast. >> what about the chance of a new law being passed? >> hard to know where this is going. the u.s. congress is not known for its efficiency. this has gotten the world's attention. i think the shape is early to tell, but i wouldn't be surprised to see some kind of act. >> doesn't the government have a case when it cease it needs all this information to protect national security. >> sure. if my job was to prevent titleist attacks, i want everything all over th